Offensive lineman has first practice

Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Larry Allen, left, helps his son, Larry Allen III, in the weight room at De La Salle high school Tuesday, July 30, 2013, in Concord, Calif. After 12 dominant seasons and a Super Bowl title with the Cowboys and two final years closer to home with San Francisco, his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement speech Saturday night will be on national television in front of thousands of people in Canton, Ohio. Plenty of family and friends will be there but not his mother, Vera Allen. The woman responsible for steering him away from gangs as a kid in the Los Angeles area died a year ago. Allen helps coach his son at the high school. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Former Buena High and Ventura College offensive lineman James Nelson graduated from UTEP last spring, but because he was trying to earn a spot in the NFL, Nelson was too busy to come home to celebrate.

Just after this year’s NFL draft, Nelson had tryouts with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys, but didn’t make the cut. The Cowboys, however, told Nelson that they might be interested in giving him a second look.

On Wednesday night, Nelson got the call from the Cowboys at his family’s home in Oxnard asking if he could come in for a physical and short workout.

Nelson arrived Thursday morning, and a few hours later the former Bulldog signed a three-year rookie deal that will be worth around $1.5 million if he makes the team.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and I plan on taking full advantage of it,” Nelson said following his first practice. “No one knows the future, but I go in with the highest expectations of myself.”

Wearing No. 61, Nelson took part in the team’s afternoon practice. He got some reps at both left and right tackle, and did a solid job considering he had not played in several months.

“I feel pretty good today,” Nelson said. “I just told myself go fast. Don’t worry about the mental stuff, that will just screw you up.”

Although he can only get two practices under his belt before Sunday’s preseason opener, Nelson was told by coaches he is likely to play in the fourth quarter when the Cowboys face Miami in Canton, Ohio.

“It’s just crazy,” Nelson said. “I was out visiting my folks but I had my flight scheduled to go back to El Paso. A lot of guys don’t get a chance to even get this far, so I am really excited to be here.”

The Cowboys also signed former TCU guard Jeff Olson and released injured defensive tackle Cameron Sheffield and cornerback Devin Smith.

COOPER FALLOUT

Like most around the NFL, veteran defensive back Will Allen was disappointed when he learned about Philadelphia Eagles receiver Riley Cooper being caught on video making a racial slur.

Allen called Cooper’s actions “very sad ... and I think there should be some repercussion.”

“We live in a society now where we should all come together, whether gender or race,” Allen continued. “Especially being African-American, I am extremely offended by it. ...We just don’t live in a society where that should be tolerated.”

Allen said one of the great things about sports is that it often nullifies race because players who wear the same jersey play for each other, regardless of skin color or religion.

Allen was asked if he thought some opponents might go after Cooper.

“Absolutely. If you are honest, you would not want to see that. ... Somebody is going to be mad and perpetuate the negativity. I don’t think it’s something we should do, but I am sure it will happen.”